Byzantine Webquest

Introduction

The Byzantine Empire stretched west to Italy, south to Egypt and east to border Arabia. Greeks made up the largest group in the new empire. Egyptians, Arabs, Persians, Romans and Jews made up the rest of the population. Constantine became the emperor of the new empire.



The capital city Constantinople, named after its founder, was located on a peninsula between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Constantinople was located in a perfect spot for trading and was easily protected by walls and surrounding water. Chains were inserted into the water’s harbors to prevent enemy ships from entering the city.



The Byzantines first followed Roman ways. Constantinople was known as the “New Rome.” Its public buildings and palaces were built in the Roman style. The city even had an oval arena called the Hippodrome, where chariot races and other events were held.



Byzantine political and social life also was based on that of Rome. Emperors spoke Latin and enforced Roman laws. The empire’s poor people received free bread and circuses. Wealthy people lived in town or on large farming estates.



As time passed, The Byzantine Empire became less Roman and more Greek. Most Byzantines spoke Greek and honored Greek past. The cultures and customs of other populations were also incorporated into the Byzantine way of life. This new culture flourished for over 1000 years while the empire to the west fell into dark ages.  

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